Metal ion-induced alginate-locust bean gum IPN microspheres for sustained oral delivery of aceclofenac

The alginate microspheres represent a useful tool for sustained oral delivery of drugs but exhibit several problems associated with the stability and rapid release of drugs at higher pH values. To overcome these drawbacks, alginate-locust bean gum (LBG) interpenetrating microspheres were prepared by calcium ion (Ca+2) induced ionotropic gelation technique for prolonged release of aceclofenac. The drug entrapment efficiency of these microspheres was found to be 59-93%. The microspheres lied in the size range of 406-684 μm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed spherical shape of the microspheres. No drug-polymer interaction was evident after infrared spectroscopy analysis. The microspheres provided sustained release of aceclofenac in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) over a period of 8 h. The drug release data were fitted into the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and the drug release was found to follow anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism. Pharmacodynamic study of the microspheres showed a prolonged anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw model following oral administration.